Editorial Freelancers Association
Member Profile
Blair Thornburgh
About Me: I’ve spent over six years in the publishing industry, including five and a half as a Senior Editor at Quirk Books, where I’ve edited NYT, indie, and international bestsellers, and books like YA fan favorites Geekerella and The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy, the hilarious Regency romance My Lady’s Choosing, and the Buffy-with-booze urban fantasy Last Call at the Nightshade Lounge. I earned an MFA from Hamline University, and am the author of three traditionally-published books myself (two with HarperTeen and one with S&S).
Why work with me?
Well, I like to say I’m a triple threat: I have industry experience, an advanced writing degree, and the empathy of a fellow author who’s been on “the other side of the desk” through publishing two novels and a picture book. If you’re looking for a quick-and-dirty cheapie edit, I’m probably not your gal. But if you want professional-level polish and insight for books to build a backlist on, I want to hear from you—making that happen has literally been my whole career.
About My Services
I specialize in the following fiction categories and genres:
- YA (all subgenres)
- Romance (no erotica)
- Women’s fiction
- Chick lit
- Fantasy/Urban fantasy
- Historical fiction
I also work with select middle grade, picture books, and early readers. I gravitate towards books with humor and heart, but I’m also easily gripped by a gritty mystery or well-realized magical system. Basically, if you have an imagination, I want to read your book!
I offer three base tiers of services:
Developmental edits for plot, character, pacing, story structure, and any and all global concerns. This includes an annotated manuscript and a 7–10 page detailed edit letter.
Line edits for clarity, phrasing, voice, consistency, accuracy, and overall consonance.
Proofreading for the final polish to eliminate typos, grammatical errors, and any other pesky little problems.
However, I approach each book on its own and am happy to tailor an editing package to your needs, budget, and timeline. Let’s talk!
Client Testimonials
“I just had to let you know that the book is doing FANTASTIC on Amazon. It’s #1 in two categories and #6 in a third on Free Kindle. I couldn’t have done it without you! … [It] has been doing better than I ever dreamed of.”
—Louisa B.
“I already feel like a better writer just looking at some of your notes. I have to be honest, I never really wanted to spend money on my writing…but something about you and your enthusiasm for my story really, REALLY made me want to say yes.”
—James G.
“Thank you for your feedback. Your notes and comments help with the flow greatly.”
—Janice M.
“Your comments are very helpful because they are specific and you give me suggestions. […] Thank you again, this is amazing feedback!”
—Jennifer M.
Get in Touch
Find more about my services at The Author Studio, or send me an email at hello@theauthorstudio.co.
Email: hello@theauthorstudio.co
More information: View PDF file
Years in the field: 7
Years freelancing: 2
Blair Thornburgh
About Me: I’ve spent over six years in the publishing industry, including five and a half as a Senior Editor at Quirk Books, where I’ve edited NYT, indie, and international bestsellers, and books like YA fan favorites Geekerella and The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy, the hilarious Regency romance My Lady’s Choosing, and the Buffy-with-booze urban fantasy Last Call at the Nightshade Lounge. I earned an MFA from Hamline University, and am the author of three traditionally-published books myself (two with HarperTeen and one with S&S).
Why work with me?
Well, I like to say I’m a triple threat: I have industry experience, an advanced writing degree, and the empathy of a fellow author who’s been on “the other side of the desk” through publishing two novels and a picture book. If you’re looking for a quick-and-dirty cheapie edit, I’m probably not your gal. But if you want professional-level polish and insight for books to build a backlist on, I want to hear from you—making that happen has literally been my whole career.
About My Services
I specialize in the following fiction categories and genres:
- YA (all subgenres)
- Romance (no erotica)
- Women’s fiction
- Chick lit
- Fantasy/Urban fantasy
- Historical fiction
I also work with select middle grade, picture books, and early readers. I gravitate towards books with humor and heart, but I’m also easily gripped by a gritty mystery or well-realized magical system. Basically, if you have an imagination, I want to read your book!
I offer three base tiers of services:
Developmental edits for plot, character, pacing, story structure, and any and all global concerns. This includes an annotated manuscript and a 7–10 page detailed edit letter.
Line edits for clarity, phrasing, voice, consistency, accuracy, and overall consonance.
Proofreading for the final polish to eliminate typos, grammatical errors, and any other pesky little problems.
However, I approach each book on its own and am happy to tailor an editing package to your needs, budget, and timeline. Let’s talk!
Client Testimonials
“I just had to let you know that the book is doing FANTASTIC on Amazon. It’s #1 in two categories and #6 in a third on Free Kindle. I couldn’t have done it without you! … [It] has been doing better than I ever dreamed of.”
—Louisa B.
“I already feel like a better writer just looking at some of your notes. I have to be honest, I never really wanted to spend money on my writing…but something about you and your enthusiasm for my story really, REALLY made me want to say yes.”
—James G.
“Thank you for your feedback. Your notes and comments help with the flow greatly.”
—Janice M.
“Your comments are very helpful because they are specific and you give me suggestions. […] Thank you again, this is amazing feedback!”
—Jennifer M.
Get in Touch
Find more about my services at The Author Studio, or send me an email at hello@theauthorstudio.co.
